A Lothian bus driver was instructed to use ‘arm-signals’ in order to continue in service after the indicator stalk snapped meaning he was unable use indicators.
The incident that happened on Wednesday (07/06/2023) afternoon came to light after audio of the control side of the conversation was leaked to SWD Media.
After a driver reported the fault on the service 7 route he was told by control that having no indicators was not a valid reason to stand the vehicle down.
He was advised to continue in service into the city centre using arm signals, but it wasn’t until the driver refused to take responsibility in the event of an incident/accident the vehicle was taken out of service.
The highway code states that arm signals can be used, and illustrations show examples of a car driver and motor biker using these.
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However a PSV theory test states that, if you notice your right-hand rear indicator is not working on your coach you should get it repaired before continuing.
The incorrect answers and should not be an option are: ‘Continue your journey using use arm signals’ or ‘Get your passengers to their destination then repair it’ and finally ‘Get it repaired on your return to the depot’.
So effectively the driver was asked to do everything that you shouldn’t do in the event that your indicators stop working on a passenger carrying vehicle putting himself and passenger safety at risk.
A spokesman for Lothian Buses said: “We will not be commenting at this time.”
Since arriving back at Annandale Depot on Wednesday evening at 7.14pm, bus 351 was briefly used on service X44 and 24, before returning to the garage at 9.21am and hasn’t been seen since.
Excerpts from the audio recording include.
5.46pm
[Controller A]
Are you still able to use your indicators just now?
“Do you think there is anyway the van could reattach the stalk, is there a wee knob or anything he could screw it back into?
“Understood, I’ll pass it onto your garage to see if we can arrange to get the bus changed over, failing that we will get you met with a patrol van to see if there is something he can do.”
5.56pm
[Controller A]
“Are you leaving 20 minutes late?
“Yeah, but you aren’t standing the bus down there are you?
“You don’t need to stand the bus for that, you can still drive a bus without any traffs.
“Like I said to you on the radio, cos you didn’t mention anything about standing the bus down there, erm just carry on, come into the city we’ll get you met by a patrol van.
Yeah it’s okay, you’ve got cars and everything that just use hand signals on the side with trafficators – so yeah come in and we will get you met with a patrol van – I’m not asking you to take responsibility for anything.”
5.58pm
[Controller B]
“Do you have any passengers on?”
[Driver]
“I have no passengers over.”
[Controller B]
“Right, run the bus into central, blank the screens, run the bus into central please.”
